By Daily Mail Reporter
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Having a dog in the house guards against asthma, a study suggests.
Researchers found that dust from homes with dogs offered protection against a common respiratory virus linked to the development of asthma in children.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is common in infants but the more severe the symptoms the more likely it is to develop into asthma.
Being exposed to dust from dogs could offer protection against a common respiratory virus according to researchers
In a recent study, Kei Fujimura, from the University of California, found that dust in a home with a cat or dog is distinct from pet-free houses.
He then exposed mice to dust from homes with dogs, then infected them with RSV. A second group was infected with the virus without the dust exposure and a third acted as a control.
Dr Fujimura said: ‘We found that feeding mice house dust from homes that have dogs present protected them against RSV.
'RSV infection is common in infants and can manifest as mild to severe respiratory symptoms.
The respiratory syncytial virus is common i infants but the more severe symptoms can cause asthma
'Severe infection in infancy is associated with a higher risk of developing childhood asthma.
'Mice fed dust did not exhibit symptoms associated with RSV-mediated airway infection, such as inflammation and mucus production.
'They also possessed a distinct gastrointestinal bacterial composition compared to animals not fed dust.'
Pet ownership and dogs in particular has previously been linked with protection against childhood asthma.
Dr Fujimura said: 'This led us to speculate that microbes within dog-associated house dust may colonize the gastrointestinal tract, modulate immune responses and protect the host against the asthmagenic pathogen RSV.
'This study represents the first step towards determining the identity of the microbial species which confer protection against this respiratory pathogen.'
Identifying the mechanisms of this protection could lead to new treatments for RSB and ultimately asthma, he added.< br />
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Oh right, so these 'scientists' force feed MICE different types of dust to come up with how HUMANS are affected by it? Animal experimentation is immoral, outdated and evil.
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Could it also be that children from homes with dogs are not a fastidiously clean as those from homes without? I grew up with dogs and rarely did I wash my hands immediately after petting them (that would have been endless...!). I also went into the garden and played in the mud with the dog, took the dog for walks outside, bathed him (occasionally) and fed him. Children and parents in homes with dogs don't tend to have the 'everything is full of germs' attitude that a lot of dogless homes have. I've lost count of the amount of people who break out the anti-bac gel after petting my dog. I wash my hands after going to the toilet and before preparing food, not after every time I touch the dog (although...I do use anti bac gel after picking up poo!), so maybe the dog homes are giving the children more protection because they're not as sterile as the dogless homes?
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A child who grows up in an environment with a properly looked after dog also learns the need to consider the feelings and wellbeing of others.
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Dogs help with all sorts of things - they keep us fitter with walks, they lower blood pressure when we pet them, they often open a wonderful way of communicating with people with dementia and Asperger's Syndrome, they guard our houses and sometimes they guard us too, they can sniff our cancer, some even assist blind and disabled people. And now they help children stay free from Asthma - seems like dogs are a bargain to me! And before the dog bashers start - most dogs are friendly and while, yes they all have to poop the good owners do pick up after them (and I've yet to see any, and I do mean ANY, parent pick up anything their children have dropped). I know many people think all dogs are the same and all dog owners irresponsible with out of control dogs - yes, some do without a doubt - but just as most parents would claim to be caring and doing their best THE SAME IS TRUE FOR MOST DOG OWNERS.
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For the first 6 years of my life we had dogs at home then after that we had a cat. So how come I've been an asthmatic since my teens? I'm now in my 60's. It's only in the last few years that I have not had a cat around and guess what my asthma has improved. I find the whole thing very confusing.
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I suppose a lot of money was spent on something that has been known for years, namely children that grow up in a home with pets are normally more healthier than kids that grow up without pets.
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